Hispanic and Native American Center of Excellence

Careers In Medicine (CiM)



CiM is a four-phase, web-based program designed to assist medical students in understanding specialty choice options. The program is coordinated by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Careers in Medicine web site: www.aamc.org/careersinmedicine

Faculty/Staff access code: 22FAC150 (case sensitive).

Student access code: 11STU150 (case sensitive)

Individual registration & login: Using the access code, login to the website and register as a new user. Registration allows for confidential personal tracking ofinterests and career plans throughout medical school.

The CiM web site allows you to explore medical career options based on an ongoing personal assessment of temperament, personality, values, work environment and financial needs.

Features on the site include:

  • Self-assessment information & activities on values, interests, skills, and personality.
  • Confidential Personal Profile,accessible for updates.
  • Medical specialtiesdescriptions containing extensive career information about major and sub-specialties.
  • Decision-making toolsprovide a logical framework for thinking about career options.
  • Guidelines for preparing the residency applicationincludes application process, CV preparation, interviewing, the Match, and making the transition to residency training.

Guide to Careers in Medicine


The four parts of the CiM program are intended to help you organize your preferences in a coordinated effort using a timeline that compliments the medical school curriculum.

Part 1: Self-Assessment
Identifying your own interests, values, personality, and skills.
Goal: Achieve a greater understanding of yourself & address the question: What do I want to do in my medical career?

Part 2: Career Exploration
Explore the specialties & other career options in medicine.
Goal: learn about the different medical specialties meet and talk with physicians who work in the practice areas & specialties.

Part 3: Decision-Making
Compare information on career options & different practice environments with your personal interests & values.
Goal: Find the practice setting that best matches your personal assessment.

Part 4: Implementation
Apply to the residency programs that reflect your interests & values, interview carefully and choose the most suitable graduate training program.
Goal: Complete the transition from medical school to residency training.

Begin with Part 1, Self-Assessment, during Phase I of medical school; then use the compiled information as you complete clinical rotations in Phase II. Self-assessments will be more helpful if given some thought and process time; user-friendly assessments are available on the CiM web-site, which you can access from any internet linked computer at your convenience. The data is saved for future review, and is completely confidential.

  • Personal Review---How did you choose medicine as a career?
  • Interests---What do you enjoy doing?
  • Values---What is important to you?
  • Environmental Factors & Practice Needs---Where do you want to work?
  • Personality Type, Learning Style---How do you approach the world, how do you learn?

  • Skills---What can you do?
  • Financial Situation---How much money do you need to make?
  • Educational Experiences---What were your best learning experiences, how do you learn best?

For more information on the Careers in Medicine program, at UNM contact:


Sharon Phelan, M.D., Professor OB/GYN, Director Career Services, 272-3414, stphelan@salud.unm.edu

Cheri Koinis, M.Ed., Manager, Student Learning Support, 272-8028, ckoinis@salud.unm.edu

Pam DeVoe, M.A., Curriculum Development Specialist, SOM Center of Excellence, 272-14-19, pdevoe@salud.unm.edu


Medical Students Research on Hispanic and Native American Health Issues in New Mexico.


One of the many areas of concern for the Hispanic and Native American Center Of Excellence is promoting research on health issues relevant to Hispanic and Native American New Mexicans. Hispanic and Native American medical students who focus their research in this area may apply to the Center Of Excellence for funding.

Potential funding covers costs for travel related to data collection, or presentation of the research at a conference or professional meeting, and costs related to creating a presentation such as poster preparation.


Yolandra Toya
Yolanda Tso
Karla Miller

Download and send completed copies of the relevant form to: BMSB 106 or B81.
or e-mail them to: pdevoe@salud.unm.edu

Student Research Project Funding Application.
Research Funding Application.

Contact the Center of Excellence for details:

Pam DeVoe
(505) 272-1419
pdevoe@salud.unm.edu

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